A shocking obituary recently made headlines after it was published in The Redwood Falls Gazette. The tribute to Kathleen Dehmlow started off as a typical farewell, but quickly took a dark turn, revealing deep-seated family resentments.
Kathleen’s two adult children used the obituary as an opportunity to air their personal grievances against their mother. The final sentence of the obituary was particularly jarring, leaving readers stunned and outraged.
The backlash was swift, with the obituary being removed from the newspaper’s website. However, the damage had already been done, and the obituary had gone viral. A family member, Dwight, confirmed the contents of the obituary and expressed his disappointment and frustration with the author.
Dwight explained that Kathleen had made a significant mistake many years ago, but had shown remorse and tried to make amends. He criticized the author of the obituary for publicly airing the family’s dirty laundry, arguing that it would cause unnecessary pain and suffering for many people.
Despite the controversy, the newspaper defended its decision to publish the obituary, stating that there was no legal reason not to. The CEO of the newspaper acknowledged that the complaints were taken seriously and promised a thorough review of the obituary.
This incident highlights the complexities and challenges of writing an obituary, particularly when there are unresolved family conflicts. It raises questions about the purpose of an obituary and whether it should be used as a platform to air personal grievances or to provide a honest and nuanced portrayal of the deceased.
